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Club Training
Day & Time Location
Sunday 8:30 & 9.30 a.m Triangle Centre, Liss – Long Run
Wednesday 7.00 p.m. Triangle Centre, Liss – Speed Work
Thursday 7.00 p.m. Petersfield Main Car Park – Social Run
Committee
Chairman Helen Smith 01730267270
Secretary Yvonne Grayson 01428712876
Treasurer Will Purchase 01730 892710
Membership Secretary Rose Lewis 01730 26178
Ladies’ Captain Marie Appleton 07810641258
Men’s Captain & kit Stu Lavalette 07557966808
Newsletter Editor Mark Watson 01420477679
Committee Member Tom Frost 01730 814098
Committee Member Darryl Hornett 07768 513174
Committee Member Andy Paton 07920544052
Committee Member Mark Watson 07810 806072
Next Newsletter Copy Deadline Date Editor
January 2015 19th December 2014 Mark Watson
Please continue to e-mail results, articles and especially pictures to me for the next Newsletter via please put Liss Runners in the title. Over the following pages you can see and read about some of the summer events and exploits undertaken by the club.
Chairman’s Report
Hello Lovely Liss Runners. It only feels a few moments ago since the last newsletter and my feet have hardly touched the ground. So many of you have been doing such amazing events. We must be one of the most active clubs “in the world” well maybe not the world.
The pub runs this year have been a triumph!! They were so well attended and the weather was exceptional, we could not have asked for anything better. Of course the success of the evening are purely down to the effort of the members who organise them, so our thanks go to Tom, Lesley, Jez, Tim , Rose, Emma, Marie and Mark. Thank you so much for all the time you put into researching and developing the routes. THANK YOU.
They really are a perfect way to spend a Monday evening, so come and join in next year or if you would like to organise a run, please let Tom know in plenty of time.
Our handicap series has now come to an end for this season. Massive congratulations to Lucy Mitchell who was this year’s overall winner. Lucy’s improvement since becoming a member has been truly remarkable and her win is a fitting tribute to her sustained efforts. She was also a member of this year’s South Downs Relay Team. Well done Lucy. Congratulations to all the winners throughout the series. All details , places and timings are in an article further in the newsletter.
Our sincere thanks to Tom, Derek, Ann and Anne who organise these races like clockwork for the club. We could not do it without you. Thank you. An extra thank you to Derek who puts up with all the whinging about placing etc. and cunningly puts us all in the right order at the right time. (It’s all done with mirrors!!) Cheers folks.
A record 28 runners turned up for the curry after the last handicap… thanks to Helen P for organising that !! Yummy.
The biggest event for the club, the Harting Trail Race, early in August was once again perfectly orchestrated by Tom with the help of his team of merry men… (and women). I had a tiny insight into the lengths Tom goes to make this race such a success, when I spent a morning with him strimming some of the route. Tom’s attention to detail is astonishing as he strives for perfection for Liss Runners. He stays calm, is enthusiastic and carries us all along with him. Thank you Tom and every single one of you who were involved. I know Tom has put in an article with all the facts and figures so I’ll leave that to him, but thank you again for everything.
Some of you have been going the extra mile with your events. You only need to read the Petersfield Post to see some of our members really having some great success. Dave Robbins, Sarah Mathews and Val Greenwood are amongst the many who have been doing rather well recently. Well done folks.
Val Greenwood set out in a relay team to swim the Channel. She did all the many, many hours of training come rain or shine. Her commitment to the team was unshakable. Sadly on the day, after only a few hours, the team were stopped due to bad weather. I cannot begin to imagine the sheer disappointment, after all that training, of not being able to complete the race. I really
wanted Val to know that she has our complete admiration and she will always be a winner to us. I hope sincerely that you can dust yourself off and go back and compete next year. Well done every one for all those miles of races, up and down every contour, you are all amazing.
As we are a club that likes to mix our running with food we had a BBQ in QE Park in the middle of August. 11 runners turned out early for the training runs. 5 miles,10 miles and hill training. Thank you to Yvonne, Sarah W and Tom for leading these groups. The weather was mostly kind with the exception of one almighty down pour which had us all running for cover for a few minutes. We didn’t let a little damp weather put us off having a great time. Nearly 40 people arrived to share in the BBQ and silly games throughout the afternoon. I have to say my sides ached from laughing, watching grown adults doing a wheel barrow race, three legged race and egg and spoon to mention just a few. Everyone was such a great sport. It was a real family affair with quite a few children joining in with the fun. I really think it is worth a mention that they were a complete pleasure, enthusiastic and fun. Nice to see them all eagerly enjoying some very old fashioned games. Thanks kids!!!
We also ran a silly competition where we had to vote for people most likely too…. It was just a bit of fun but I thought you may like to see the results from the day.
The person most likely to become a politician? Mark Watson
The person most likely to become a beauty queen? Laura Armstrong
Most likely to become Prince Charming? Steve Armstrong
Most likely to win Mastermind? John Collis
Most likely to become Pope? Mark Watson
To win an Olympic medal? Tom Frost
To trek through the jungle? Wadey Boots
To become a nun? Pai
To become famous? Blakey (Pai’s Dog)
Become an agony Aunt? Alison Strudwick.
Well that still makes me giggle!! All in all, a good day.
So folks, sadly the summer must leave us soon, it’s been one of the best for a few years and we will be sad to see it go. Yet it is not all bad news!! It means the cross country season is almost upon us. All the dates and venues are in this magazine, so pop the dates in your diaries, on your calendars, post it notes on your foreheads, but whatever you do come and run for your club. It’s only an hour out of your Sunday morning and we need you all!!
Happy running, stay safe out there!!
Helen TNO
The Summer Handicap Race Series.
April-September 2014
Derek
Our Club annual six race summer series started as always, in April, with ‘Trevor’s Challenge’ (Named after our Club’s founder member). A monster turnout of fifty-three runners took part in this traditional mass start race, with Tom gaining first place and Rosalind Smith first lady. All runners, regardless of their finish placing’s, were awarded ninety points each towards their Handicap score.
The subsequent five races, held on the second Wednesday of each month, were true Handicap events inasmuch as the start times were used from the first race, having worked out everyone’s running pace (and modified as the summer went on) so that the not so fast runners started first and the faster runners later. The grand idea being that if the handicap times are right, then everyone will cross the finish line together. Twice I came close to achieving a mass finish (and it’s a nightmare from the recorders point of view). After each of these five races all runners are awarded points; 100pts for first place, 99pts for second place, 98pts for third place and so on. After the last race I add up the total points (those runners who have run in all six races have their lowest score discarded) and the runner with the highest number of points is the overall winner – easy peasey. At this point I would like to thank Harry Houdini for the use of his smoke and mirrors and Heath Robinson for the loan of his manual on making anything work!
The winners of each Handicap race were:
May: Stephen Bubb. June: Lesley Evans.
July: Ali Mary. August: Jo Statham.
September: Debbie Band.
The winner of the entire series was: Lucy Mitchell.
The final scores of the top fifty are:
Lucy Mitchell 464pts David Brown 259pts
Alan Hall/Andy P 447pts Mark Bailey 257pts
Peter Digby 444pts Helen Murphy 256pts
Sandra Humphrey 434pts Sue Cullum 251pts
Sarah wade 430pts Bill Allcock 249pts
Emma Pike 427pts Marie Appleton 243pt
James Staley 426pts David Auger 238pts
Rose/Chris Wilson 423pts Stewart Roberts 236pts
John Collis 420pts Steve Cliff 197pts
Rob Fleming 413pts David Read 192pts
Andy Statham 411pts Jess Lee 190pts
Stuart Knight 406pts Victoria Llewellyn 186pts
Helen Smith 390pts Katie Parnell 182pts
Alan Kiff 364pts Rosalind Smith 181pts
Stephen Bubb 363pts Debbie Band 177pts
Kate Gardner-Cliff 358pts Paul Hawes 173pts
Gary Lomas 346pts David Little 171pts
Jo Statham 332pts Ali Mary 167pts
Lorna Richard 320pts Alasdair McGregor 165pts
Tom/Yvonne 315pts Laura Cullum 159pts
Laura Armstrong 307pts Colin Bales 158pts
Stu/Jamie Cartwright 278pts Anne Parnell 151pts
Andrew James 273pts Oliver Reed 144pts
Steve Armstrong 262pts Kirsten Russell 141pts
Throughout this series a total of eighty-three runners took part in one or more of the races. Given that our membership is about one hundred and ten, that’s not a bad turnout. (That is eighty-three times I was informed that I’d got the start times wrong!)
Finally, BIG Thank You’s to:
Tom: for signing the routes and making sure no one got lost.
Ann Carty: for recording the race times.
Anne Parnell: for warning runners of their start times (taking the pressure off me – I’m a guy and can only do one thing at a time!), and helping identify runners as they crossed the finish line.
MAYBE next year will see a different route each month or do we keep it as it is, using the same route? Let a committee member know your thoughts or come along to the AGM next year.
Harting Trail 10 Race Report
After the success of the inaugural race last year, Liss Runners put on the second 10 mile Harting Trail Race. The event is based in the lovely village of South Harting in the South Downs in West Sussex, closer to the Hampshire border. The race route takes runners over the Downs following bridleways and paths with plenty of ups and downs before a final steep downhill mile back to South Harting. On race morning the weather was warm but changeable with ominous dark clouds on the horizon. The heavy showers did not materialise and that left a good running temperature compared to earlier days.
Last years’ winner: Denmead Strider Julian Manning gained a quick lead up the first hill. He maintained this as he stormed around the course to complete the undulating 10 miles in a superb 57’46”. Second in was Hugh Aggleton of Cardiff Harequins a minute behind Manning with third man, Haywards Heath Harrier Paul Tomlinson another minute behind.
For the veteran men (40-54) fellow strider member Pete Turrell took the honours in 1h and 4”, also with a fine 5th place overall. Second veteran man was Tony Randell in 1h 02’ 25” and third was Lee Weeks in 1h 05’ 02”
In the super veteran men’s category Portsmouth Jogger Tony Conway was first in with 1 h 05’55” also taking 16th overall position. Second was Don Doe from Poole Runners in 1h 09’03”
Clear winner for the ladies was Stubbington Green Runner Daisy Hall in 1h 10’56” with the second lady Lynne Whittaker from Winchester and District AC in 1h 11’18”, also winning the Super veterans prize (50+). Horsham Jogger Lucinda Potton was third lady in 1h 13’24” also winning the Veterans ladies prize (35-49).
Second and third senior ladies were Melissa Panter (1h 17’39”) and Catherine Durkin (1h 22’52”).
Julian on his own at 9 miles.
Second and third veteran ladies were Julie Humphries (1h 17’46”) and Helen Hoyle (1h 22’31”).
Second super veteran lady was Joanna Curtis from Winchester and District AC (taking 1h 17’30”).
Top three finishers this year: Paul, Julian and Hugh.
There were some lovely messages on the Runners World web forums, with the race getting a superb 96% rating and 98% of runners wanting to take part in a future year. This was all down to the magnificent help from club members. Tim and Val on entries and results were the main support with the usual sorter outers Derek and Julia on the finish funnel and taking the times down, back up as provided by Sarah Wade and son with the finisher’s placing. Marie sorted out the baggage and key storage with nothing going missing this year. They were kept very busy in the kitchen of the club house selling cake and drinks; many thanks to Helen Smith and her band of merry helpers. Stuart Lavalette and Bob Broadhead got all the cars safely parked. Chris Wilson and Dave Auger were along the main road keeping runners safely in single file and helping out at the end. Annette and Nicola gave medals out to the tired runners. Out on the course it was a big, big thank you to the sweep marshals John Collis and Andy Paton, doing the course along with taking all the signage down. Also out around the course we had a multitude of cheerful help: Bill and Julie Allcock, Andrew James, Alan Kiff, Peter Digby, Lorna Richard, Emma Pike, James White, David Robbins, Alison Strudwick, Sean Denny, Ann Carty, Pat Humphrey, Jenny and Bob Broadhead, Sarah and Mark Watson, Andy Statham, Mellisa, Laura and Steve Armstrong, Sue Cullum and Norman and Rose. Sorry if I’ve missed anybody out. The club owes you all a big debt of gratitude.